The ‘Spiritual Test’
.... Before beginning this posting, we're assuming you’ve read the previous one. If not, it would be better to return.... "the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."(1 John 2:27)
.... In other words, the Holy Spirit teaches you the truth, as the truth is in Jesus. And if something comes along that would draw you away into error, He'll send up some red flags in your heart to warn you. So with that basic understanding, it's time to put your own heart to the test. (For this, you may want to open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 and review it.)
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.... First, an introduction. As you may have noticed, many modern Bibles include subtitles every 10 verses or so, for the purpose of announcing the chief testimony of each passage. So one day, we looked at the subtitles of this passage in different Bible translations to check the opinions of the editors, and to see what they considered that chief testimony to be. And we were surprised that they didn’t agree with each other.
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.... The New American Standard Bible claimed that the chief topic of this passage was an 'Appeal for Unity'. In other words there was a problem with division, and Paul was addressing the problem. But The New International Version said that 'Paul was giving thanks to God', which sounds like just the oppostite: "No problems here!"
.... The New American Standard Bible claimed that the chief topic of this passage was an 'Appeal for Unity'. In other words there was a problem with division, and Paul was addressing the problem. But The New International Version said that 'Paul was giving thanks to God', which sounds like just the oppostite: "No problems here!"
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.... The Today’s English Version said this passage is about 'Blessings in Christ'. The New King James said it was about 'Spiritual Gifts at Corinth'. But we’d like to show you that all of those subtitles are wrong – they have completely missed the point – and we're going to demonstrate this by putting your hearts to the test: ‘that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ (Luke 2:35).
.... The Today’s English Version said this passage is about 'Blessings in Christ'. The New King James said it was about 'Spiritual Gifts at Corinth'. But we’d like to show you that all of those subtitles are wrong – they have completely missed the point – and we're going to demonstrate this by putting your hearts to the test: ‘that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ (Luke 2:35).
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Please close your Bibles at this point!
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.... Below is a corrupted rendition of 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, having at least ten things wrong with it. We would like you to read it carefully, and in doing so please keep your heart on the Lord and ask Him to show you what is wrong with it. After you've done this, an explanation will follow in the ‘comments’ section:
.... Below is a corrupted rendition of 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, having at least ten things wrong with it. We would like you to read it carefully, and in doing so please keep your heart on the Lord and ask Him to show you what is wrong with it. After you've done this, an explanation will follow in the ‘comments’ section:
.... Paul, called to be an apostle by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God that was given to you, that you were enriched in everything, in all utterance and knowledge, even as this testimony was confirmed in you; so that you fall short in no gift, eagerly awaiting for the day of revelation, confirmed to the end, that you may be blameless on that day. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of the Lord.
.... Now please understand, we're not asking you to find all ten things that are wrong with this passage, just one or two might be enough. But after you’ve prayed about it and you think you’re ready, please check your conclusions against the explanation in our ‘comments’ section.
To proceed to the next lesson, click here
Daily Bible Reading: Luke 18
posted by loren at 12:09 AM
6 Comments:
When I teach this lesson live, I like to add an extra step. I tell my listeners that I want to read them two versions of 1 Cor 1:1-9: a true version and a corrupted version (having at least ten things wrong with it), but I won’t tell them which is which until afterward. Then I ask them to close their eyes and listen to me while I read, but to keep their heart on God, and to be asking Him, ‘Lord, is this the true version or the corrupted version?’
I always start with the corrupted version, and then stop. “I haven’t even read the other version yet.” I’ll tell them. “But I’m curious to see what you think so far. How many of you would say that you’ve just heard the true version, and that you’ve found nothing wrong with it? Please keep your eyes closed and raise your hand.”
Next I’ll give the others a chance. “How many of you would say that you’ve just heard the corrupted version, having at least ten things wrong with it? Now if you think it’s wrong, I’m not asking you why it’s wrong, just whether or not you think it is wrong.”
I’ve usually had the best results with a charismatic audience, in which about two thirds of them correctly stated that they’d just heard the corrupted reading. I’m very surprised to find the poorest results from a Baptist background, in which maybe one or two persons may get it right. And don’t ask me why, like I said, I’m surprised by that!
Then I’ll ask them to open their eyes, and I’ll explain that the reading they’ve just heard was, indeed, the corrupted reading. It had at least ten things wrong with it. But does anyone know what was wrong?
The first time I did this, a girl name Laurie Ruth answered. “Well, the greeting was ‘in the name of God the Father’,” she said, “and not ‘in the name of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ’.”
“Ah!” said I, with brightening eyes. “Blessed are you, Laurie Ruth, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven!”
The version you’ve read into this posting was corrupted, essentially, for the reason that Laurie Ruth stated. It has omitted every reference to Jesus - at least ten such references. Did you notice that? Did it make a difference to you? And that is how your heart was being tested. We’ll discuss this further in our next posting.
By
loren, at 7/25/2005 12:14 AM
When I’ve explained the ‘spiritual test’ to a live audience, I’ve done so by folloing up with a reading of the true version, and emphasizing each of the ten references to Jesus that were missing from the corrupted version. This has always had a very profound impact on everyone, especially those who flunked the test. It has usually worked in them a new and very genuine resolve.
I had one person stop, right then and there during our discussion, and go through every epistle to see how they opened. Then he reported to us that every epistle began with a testimony of Jesus. He shook his head with determination and said ‘I will never, never miss out on that again!”
By
loren, at 7/25/2005 12:14 AM
Here is the true and uncorrupted reading of 1 Corinthians 1:1-9:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
By
loren, at 7/25/2005 12:14 AM
Hi Loren...
Your story is AMAZING, and if God exists, i'm very happy for you that He appeared in your vision. But it looks like u dont get my point
I'm an Indian and a hindu by birth and know precious little about Christianity and the Bible, so a lot of what you r saying is new to me, including chapters from the Bible. But what seems pretty clear to me is this - Hinduism and christianity don't vary much. A sacred book, that lays down the code of conduct; references about the future which have come true; and of course visions of God that only a selected few have been blessed to have. In fact im quite certain all relegions ranging from Islam to Budhism have a set of these in common.
All religions preach about the oneness of God and his sovereignity and are basically the same in 99% of their ideals - the 1 % variation, doubtless attributed to time and man..
Back to the moot point - what does God expect of man, what does Jesus expect of you? to acknowledge his existence? or to lead a rightoeus life? i think, its the latter... and im doing the latter...
so should all of us... instead of worrying if He exists, v should try and do what might take us closer to Him, if he exists...
and thats a big IF to all of us, barring a few like you..
If God exists, i now really am at a quandary as to why he never reaveled himself to me... but if the reason for it is that He doesn't deem it necessary - if he thinks i already am leading the life he expects me to - then i feel vindicated and honoured.
By
Nitin, at 7/25/2005 3:19 PM
Hi NiTin,
Thanks for your comments on my blog, it seems like some other people have read my comments on your blog, and became offended. I am still open to talking some more, but I suggest we continue the discussion on my blog.
I would like to make it clear to those who were offended that it was not my goal to antagonize anyone.
Peace.
By
loren, at 7/25/2005 9:23 PM
That's a sweet test! I should pull that on my Youth Group! Thanks for the great idea!
I passed, by the way! But then, I am technically one of those "charismatic types"! LOL
Oh, and the heading for that section in my Bible (the New Jerusalem Bible) is simply "Address and greetings". But then, headings aren't inspired.
By
Gregory, at 7/27/2005 5:49 PM
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